LONG BEACH, Calif. – August 27, 2009 – Formula DRIFT will debut the start of their comprehensive programming schedule on VERSUS this weekend. Formula DRIFT content will be made available in more than 75 million U.S. homes. The seven-stop Formula DRIFT Championship Series programs will air over fourteen Sundays during the 2 PM (EST) / 11 AM (PST) time slot beginning this Sunday, August 30.

The first episode features a comprehensive overview of the sport and drivers. Viewers will then experience Round 1 “The Streets of Long Beach” and all of the events leading up to the final episode showcasing the Formula DRIFT Championship Finale from Irwindale, California on November 29. Each episode will showcase all the on- and off-track action as the world’s top drift drivers battle for the coveted title of Formula DRIFT Champion.

The Formula DRIFT Pro Championship Series will be featured in HiDef and will focus on all the head-to-head action, technology, equipment and the personalities and behind-the-scenes drama. Check your local listings or visit the Formula DRIFT website at www.formuladrift.com for more information.

“We are excited to showcase Formula DRIFT and the sport of drifting on VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country,” says Ryan Sage, VP of Marketing and Co-Founder of Formula DRIFT. “On VERSUS, we are able to showcase our teams and drivers on a weekly basis, at a consistent time slot; all on a network in more than 75 million homes.”

Formula DRIFT is also viewed worldwide through international syndication to an additional 200 million homes. All this combined with several new broadband and internet media strategies; Formula DRIFT continues to be the most watched drifting property in the world.

Check out these 2 videos that give great insight on two of the top Formula DRIFT drivers with veteran drifter Daijiro Yoshihara stepping into his 5th drift car and back into the driver’s season of a Nissan S13, after his crash of the Lexus at the last event and Round 6: Locked and Loaded winner Stephan Verdier on his first ever drifting victory.

“This is a dream come true,” said Stephan Verdier, winner of Round 6: Locked and Loaded. “My first victory after 3 years of competition and it is also the first victory for a Subaru and for Cooper Tires. Today I’m number 1 and it’s a great feeling.”

Round 6: Locked and Loaded was the first event in Formula DRIFT history to share the same weekend with IndyCar for the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. Fans were treated to both drifting and open wheel racing action for an exciting combination of motorsports that kept everyone entertained.

Current Formula DRIFT champion Tanner Foust in the Rockstar Energy Drink / Hankook Scion Racing TC battled against Hankook teammate Ryuji Miki in the APEXi / Hankook Mazda RX-7 for third place and after 2 hard fought One More Time battles Miki finds the podium once again. The final round had Ken Gushi in the RS*R / Scion Racing TC and Stephan Verdier battle for the top spot. On the first run of the final battle, Ken Gushi ended his run with a blown motor forcing him to take a bow and give Verdier the victory.

“This event proved that drifting can co-exist with other motorsports and provide quality entertainment for all fans and we are very proud to be a part of the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma weekend,” said Ryan Sage, vice president of marketing and co-founder of Formula DRIFT. “With only 1 event remaining in the season it will come down to the wire and we will be crowning a new champion.”

Formula DRIFT returns to the “House of Drift” at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on October 15-16 for Round 7: Judgment Day for the season finale. Reserved tickets are available now via the Formula DRIFT website at: www.formuladrift.com
Formula DRIFT Professional Championship 2009 Point Standings